Chip card

ABSTRACT

A chip card comprising a memory chip and/or processor chip is characterized by the presence of a mirror memory to which any new internal stored data are transferred by an external read or write device whenever the memory chip and/or processor chip carry out an operation. The mirror memory thus has stored data corresponding to the stored contents in the memory chip and/or processor chip, and an LCD display or similar device with a voltage supply from at least one solar cell or the like. The mirror memory is lined to the LCD display or similar device with a voltage supply from at least one solar cell or the like. The mirror memory is linked to the LCD display in such a way that the data stored in said memory can be displayed by the LCD display.

The invention concerns a chip card comprising a memory chip and/orprocessor chip.

Chip cards of this type find increasing acceptance for cashless paymenttransactions since beyond pure recognition and storage such as forinstance with the aid of a magnetic strip they permit interactivecommunication with an external reading or writing device. As aconsequence information can be read from the chip card, new informationcan be written into the chip card and information can be interactivelyprocessed with the chip card for instance in order to generate anidentification similar to a signature or a key providing accessauthorization.

The communication between card and reading or writing device can eitherbe effected by providing the card with a contact field which is broughtin contact with corresponding contacts in the reading/writing device orcontactless, for instance through inductive or capacitive informationtransfer.

A major disadvantage of known chip cards which also significantly limitstheir application is that the information content of the cards can onlybe read out in connection with a reading/writing device. In other wordsit is generally necessary that the card holder introduces his card insuch a device or communicates with such in a contactless manner in orderto be able to read on the device the information stored on the card.

Based on this the task of the invention is to design a chip card of thetype under consideration in such a way that its application can besignificantly expanded so that reading of the card contents or thecurrent operating mode of the card is easily possible at any timewithout the help of external reading devices.

This task according to the invention is solved by a mirror memory ontowhich the internal new memory information is transferred with eachoperation of the memory chip and/or processor chip in connection with anexternal reading or writing device so that the mirror memory showsmemory information according to the memory contents in the memory chipand/or processor chip and an LCD or similar with a power supply from atleast one solar cell or similar while the mirror memory is connectedwith the LCD in such a way that the information stored therein can bedisplayed by means of the LCD.

The combination of an LCD for the memory content with a solar cell makesit possible, independent of battery power, to read the memory contentswith the help of solar light or artificial light which is required inany case to look at the card. The mirror memory is formed by a so-calledbalcony chip or Easik memory with sequence logic.

With this, according to the invention, the data information can be readfrom the mirror memory without having to activate the memory and/orprocessor chips. As a consequence little energy is required for readingso that the power currently available through the solar cell issufficient.

The display possibility provided by the invention makes it possible forinstance to design the chip card as a public transport ticket or ticketof admission while an inspector would be able at any time to check ifthe appropriate debit transaction has been carried out beforehand.Insofar as the card is used for general payment transactions it ispossible in the manner according to the invention for instance to readout the balance of an account. In principle it is therefore possible tosubsequently check the status of the card at any time after the latestcommunication process with a writing/reading device without such so thatespecially third parties not involved in this communication process arealso able to obtain information on such.

A further embodiment of the invention is a switching device connectedwith a memory chip and/or processor chip, especially resistanceswitching device for changing over the chip card operating mode and/orthe memory contents to enable a scroll-type display changeover.

The switching device is preferably designed as a resistance switch insuch a way that the switch can be actuated for instance by exertingthumb pressure on a certain card area similar to a push-button switch,while the switching impulses thus generated are electronically utilisedto achieve an advance pulse. In this way it is possible to consecutivelyactivate various memory areas and call up their contents or to runvarious processor chip activities. As a consequence the card can be usedmulti-functionally and be suitably switched over as required. Inconnection with the optical reading of the memory contents which ispossible at any time the user can control the changeover by actuatingthe changeover, i.e. he immediately recognizes from the display thecurrent operating mode of the card and the memory areas which areactivated. With this scrolling or changeover operating mode it proves ofparticular advantage to use a mirror memory for instance in form of anEasik memory, since its low current requirement allows a low consumptionof energy for the display.

In order to permit a contactleas exchange of information with areading/writing device an antenna coil can be arranged on the card whichis connected with the memory chip and/or processor chip. The coil canfor instance be formed on the card as a printed circuit or run aroundthe card so that in all cases it is ensured that the flat card geometryremains largely unchanged.

If it is desired to be independent from the respective lightingintensity when reading out or in operation, a storage medium forinstance in form of a battery or a capacitor can be assigned to thesolar cell so that the energy in the unutilized state can be collectedand stored over an extended period of time and be called off inconcentrated form during utilization.

A further advantageous embodiment provides for the chip card toincorporate an identification field which permits the reading in ofsignificant personal data such as for instance a fingerprint forcomparison with corresponding identification data previously stored inthe memory chip. In this way it can be ensured that the card canfactually only be used by the authorised user whereas the loss of thecard does not enable an unauthorised finder to activate the card.

A favorable provision is that at least one contactless memory chip orprocessor chip and at least one contact-type memory chip or processorchip are arranged on the card which are interconnected in such a waythat they hold at least partially the same information contents. As aconsequence it is possible to communicate optionally with contact orcontactless with a reading/writing device.

The invention also concerns a method for the manufacture of such a chipcard wherein it is intended that the individual components are firstarranged on a carrier foil, preferably made of ABS, and then providedwith a plastic cladding excluding possible contact areas.

The cladding is preferably achieved by spraying or application of sleevefoils.

In the following the invention is explained in more detail making use ofa preferred embodiment example with the help of the drawing. The drawingis a schematic top view of a chip card according to the invention.

According to the drawing a contact-type chip 1 with correspondingcontact field, a contactless chip 2, and a solar cell 3 and an opticaldisplay in form of an LCD 4 are arranged on the chip card.

A battery 5 serves as buffer or intermediate storage for the enteringlight energy which is converted by the solar cell 3.

A pressure contact switch 6 serves as changeover switch between variousoperating modes or memories.

A mirror memory 7 or a so-called balcony chip is assigned to thecontact-type chip 1 which permits reading out of the memory informationfrom chip 1 available in mirror image in the chip 7 without having toactivate the processor chip 1 itself, i.e. the reading out can beaccomplished with the use of the energy supplied by the solar cell 3.

The contact-type chip 1 and the contactless chip 2 are interconnected bymeans of a data exchange line 8 so that it is possible for both chips tohold at least partly the same information contents.

A coil 9 for sending and receiving upon communication with areading/writing device is assigned to the contactless chip 2.

A capacitor control module 10 makes it possible to store electric energyin the capacitor in this way covering possible peak energy demand.

The electrical connection of the individual components in its entiretyis marked with 11.

Numerous modifications beyond the embodiment example described above areconceivable:

For example the solar cell can supply energy for computing operations ofthe chip or chips.

Beside the mentioned power storage for covering the peak demand thecapacitor control module can also store excess energy in the contactlessarea or excess energy from a reading/writing device or unused energy.

In a further embodiment an optical data transfer between chip anddisplay for instance in form of a vacuum fluorescence display isconceivable. A crystal memory can be provided in the optical display asbuffer store.

In addition the optical display can be designed statically, i.e. thememory information displayed there remains visible in position overextended periods of time without further power supply.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chip card comprising a memory chip and/orprocessor chip characterised in that a mirror memory (7) onto which theinternal new memory information is transferred with every operation ofthe memory chip and/or processor chip (1, 2) in connection with anexternal reading or writing device so that the mirror memory (7) holdsmemory information according to the memory contents in the memory chipand/or processor chip (1, 2) and an LCD (4) or such like with a powersupply from at least one solar cell (3) or such like, wherein the mirrormemory (7) is connected with the LCD (4) in such a way that theinformation stored therein can be displayed with the LCD (4).
 2. Thechip card especially according to claim 1, characterised by a switchingdevice connected with a memory chip and/or processor chip (1, 2),especially a resistance switching device for changing over the chip cardoperating mode and/or the memory contents to permit a scroll-typechangeover display.
 3. The chip card according to claim 1, characterisedin that an antenna coil (9) preferably accomplished through printing on,is arranged on the card.
 4. The chip card according to claim 1,characterised in that a storage medium, preferably in form of a battery(5) and/or a capacitor is assigned to the solar cell (3).
 5. The chipcard according to claim 1, characterised in that it has anidentification field which permits the reading in of significantpersonal data such as a fingerprint for comparison with correspondingidentification data previously stored in the memory chip.
 6. The chipcard according to claim 1, characterised in that at least onecontactless memory chip or processor chip (1) and at least onecontact-type memory chip or processor chip (2) are provided which areinterconnected in such a way that they hold at least partly the sameinformation contents.
 7. The process for the manufacture of a chip cardaccording to claim 1, characterised in that the individual componentsare initially arranged on a carrier foil, preferably made of ABS, andthen provided with a plastic cladding excluding any possible contactareas.
 8. The process according to claim 7 characterised in that thecladding is realised through spraying or application of a sleeve foil.